2.2 True bromance

     Even if his days at the office was busy, they didn't wear Marco out. He'd not forgotten what he loved about Jericho either. The smog, the pollution, the fast paced living side by side with the harmonic sleepy exsistance.
     Not to mention all the gorgeous ladies, and there was one he'd recognize everywhere. Guess it would always be something about the one that pops your cherry.

   Sunniva seemed to enjoy her life as a married woman, even if she was sitting in the cellar in a hot- spot in town, whilst music was pumping in the distance. Come to think of it, maybe that's why she wasn't up dancing. Wonder where here husband was? 

     Those cute freckles, and beautiful brown eyes that made him automatically flirt with her. Whatever had gone on between them before, seemed to be all forgotten. He still had it, and Sunniva knew just how beautiful he thought she was. It was all innocent though.

     Aren't you married? A dark male voice interrupted their little thing, it sounded sligthly unused to talking. It was obviously meant for Sunniva, who scuttled away quite quickly. Who the hell was ruining his mojo?

     Mind you're own business! Marco growled as he turned around, watching Sunnivas cute butt wiggling out the door. Here he was just looking for some fun, and then this happens!

     Atleast that wasn't her husband, as he didn't get punched  in the face. The guy seemed to be waiting for a reaction, and it took a long while before Marco recognized the very properlooking man standing staring at him. But in the end those intenze blue eyes, (which Marco swore he'd never noticed), jogged his memory.

     Joe? What the hell? When did they let you out? What happened? When did you get all that hair?! Marco did his best to be caught by surprise in the trendy basement. Why was he even there, when he could be upstairs hitting on women?
     Yes. No, it's Jericho. A couple of weeks ago. I'm out on parole. In the institution. Atleast his mind was a lot more together now, then last time they saw eacother.

     Mate!! I can't believe it! He was deeply happy seeing Joe again, and he looked good with hair and a beard (Not that Marco noticed) It's great seeing you again! The situation was surreal to put it mildly, but when he thought about it, it was about time for him to be let out. As long as the court  found him sane enough, which they clearly did.
     It's good seeing you again too. How you been? It was Joe that asked that, ofcourse. Asking about how prison- asylum had been, would be awkward. They shared some commom plesantries, as adults were supposed to.

     Marco scratched the back of his head, cop or not, he still took good care of his hair. So, how are things? He wasn't good talking about feelings so he asked a neutral question, handing the subject over to Joe. That way. he could talk about it if he wanted.

     Well, it's a bit strange on the outside. Joe said. There were so many rules and regulations before, so it's a bit difficult getting a routine of my own. 
     Marco nodded without saying anything else. He let his buddy speak without interruption, but he appearantly didn't have more to say about the subject. Which could have lead to an awkward silence.
     

     Luckily the two of them would always have another subject to talk about.     
     So, do you know how Rye's doing? Marco hadn't taken up contact with any of his old friends. There really wasn't any good reason for it, other than time. He'd been really busy at work while getting into the routine. There were a lot of cases to read into, and his partner Dominic was happy to help.

     For some reason Joe started laughing when he mentioned Rye.
     What? What's so funny?
     Joe laughed a bit more, saying: You should see him!! He looks like shit! He's trying to break through as a punk- rocker!! 
     Okay, that was a bit funny. Rye was not punk or rebellious at all, even Joe was more of a rebell than him! And with that baby- face..... Ah well, atleast he looked like someone teengirls would have as a wallposter; soft- punk boy!

     They decided to take the conversation upstairs.

     I'm a cop. Marco said, as Joe started laughing.
     Yeah right! You really think I'll fall for that?! He laughed even more. Running from the police, doesn't make you one!!
     No really!! I'm an officer of the law!! It was hard staying serious when Joe laughed so much

      You nearly got me there! Joe was still laughing. But, he continued: I'm not that easy to trick. I'm not that crazy!! 
     Joe, Marco said: I'm not joking. I am a cop, with the badge and a uniform and handcuffs...

     One might thing that proclaiming upholding the law, would shut someone up. But this was Joe: Are you telling me someone actually gave you firearms?! He started laughing again.
     Oh yeah, Marco grinned: Glock 17, shotgun and MP5! Sometimes we even get to use M4!! He was awsome with firearms! Not that he'd actually shot anyone.... yet....
     Joe was laughing so hard he had trouble breathing, and nearly fell down. It wasn't that funny someone had given Marco access to firearms! He tried saying something else, but it constantly got chocked by his laughter. So Marco simply waited for him to run out of breath.

     Still wiping tears from his eyes, Joe finally calmed down, almost atleast.
     Cop.... he laughed a bit more.
     As a policeofficer Marco had gotten a bit more insight into how things went though. Joe was an ex- inmate, and there were a lot of stigma attached to that. Unfortunately that stigma was often there for a reason.
     Joe... Marco tried getting him to be a bit more serious: Do you have any plan for the future?
     Getting a job would be pretty much impossible. There were different activities for ex- inmates to ease coming back to society, but Joe wasn't criminal enough. Since he's spent his time in an institution.

      I haven't been out for that long, he said. I've applied for a few job, but obviously haven't heard anything. He took a deep breath: No one wants to hire someone who's been in for assault!! I can't even guarantee it won't happen again.
     Marco got that, he wasn't stupid just because he was a blonde, and used to much time on his hair. Even if Joe technically had tried getting away from the old cop all those years ago, it was still considered assault.
     Education isn't an option, as schools don't like inmates either, and ofcourse I can't afford to take anything online. He raised his shoulders a bit.

     But some way or another, I'll find something! He said. It might just take a while! 
     Marco nodded to that. He couldn't help feeling a bit guilty, even if he hadn't actually done anything wrong. But he could have gone looking for Joe himself that time. He's just been too worried that it was more than he'd be able to handle.
     I really should have.... Marco started, damn his eyes were really blue (not that he noticed)
     No. Joe was better than him at sharing feelings, but all in all, they were still guys. That was all they needed to say, right?

     It's just....
     Marco, please don't. You're terrible at this..... 
      

     It's not that. It wasn't, it was something else. He had a little secret that he hadn't shared with anyone. The secret wasn't even a bad one, but for some reason he just hadn't been able to say anything about it! Everytime he tried, he chocked, and the words got stuck in his throat somewhere!
     But seeing his old friend, knowing everything he knew about him.....

     We have a really big- arsed house now.... He started rambling, and talking to fast. And it's really big, and the only others there are mum and dad. Dad is getting a bit stranger every day, and I don't really know what's going on.....
     But that wasn't really what was bothering him, and he finally cracked under Joes blue eyes. Which he totally hadn't noticed!! Guys don't notice things like that!

     Marco continued rambling: I met a girl in college, and we got married! But then I was sent on infiltrating some drug- crap for some months, and when I got back she wanted a divorce! 

     It wasn't even like anything had happened!! Marco leaned onto a shocked Joe. We just didn't have any time together, and then she wanted to divorce!! He'd never had his heart broken before, it hurt!
     He kept rambling: And now she keeps phoning me, to "talk", and I don't want to, cause I'm pissed, but I kind of still want to!! 

     You have to move in, you're my best friend! Marco squeezed a still shocked Joe, whilst man- crying into his shirt. I love you man!! I need you!! The only ones there are mum and dad!! And if I tell mum she'll just nag me about grandkids!! I don't ever want a woman in my life again!! 

     You have to move in with me, Marco felt sorry for himself. He needed company of friends, and the house was huge and empty. He even missed his sister!! I can't be alone, because then I'll just run back to Esther when she phones, and I know it's a bad idea. But I really love her...

     Joe agreed on two conditions. One: never mention this again. They looked around the room to make sure no one had seen it, and doing their best to get back their manliness. A bit difficult with Joes shirt stained with manlyman tears...

     The other condtition:

     Give me a man hug!!! Sometimes a guy needs a real man- hug!
     No....
     Man- hug! NOW!! Joe was merciless.

     Manhugs makes a man happy!!

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     So you're both fine with Joe moving in? Marco had discussed it with both his parents. Even if the house was now technically his, he didn't want to do anything that was directly agains their wills. But they had taken the idea very well, they even seemed to think it was a good idea!

     But that means you have to stop walking naked around the house all the time, okay mum?
    Iva was like most old women, she had no shame in life.
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     The move went seamless, as Joe did his best to stay out of the way. It would take a bit getting used to, but he would get housewarm soon enough.
      He had a little den in the cellar, not because he wasn't welcome else in the house. But so that he could get away from them when he felt like it.
      Yeah, I know I'm smart enough to be a scientist. Marco and old- man Ingvar often talked at the breakfast table. But I'm a cop. 
      Joe thought Marcos dad was a bit scary at times. He kept staring at him with those glowing eyes, and he was pretty sure the old guy poked around in his brain.

     
     It was kind of sweet that Marcos parents still felt that strongly for eachother. But mainly they were gross.

     Other than that, Joe pretty much tried to stay out of everyones hair.

     It felt a bit awkward not working, and not doing anything around the house. The old man mainly took care of it, whilst the old lady wrote, and cooked once in a while. He really wasn't any use for anyone was he?

     He did his best to keep himself occupied, whilst waiting for answeres for his appliances that never showed up.

     And to keep his spirit up, when another possible job slipped as he phoned and asked if they had gotten his resymè.

     Not that he blamed them for making up excuses. He had painted "albino- peacock" when he suddenly realized there wasn't any peacocks in the house....

     But sometimes he was reminded of why he was there in the first place.

     It felt good beeing needed, even if it was a bit of a strange reason. Marco had always been a bit weird.
     Don't answer that.....
     I won't, he said as he longingly looked at the display. He'd deleted Esthers number, but still knew it by heart.
     He so wanted to pick up. Marco was easy to read.....

     Blondie even gave him advice on the best way to keep his own spirit up.
     Oh shit!! This is heavy!!! Joe didn't like working out!
     Just keep going! It will increase your endorphines! Afterwards I'll show you an exsercise that increases you're testosterone! That was important for building muscles, because Joe had to do that to!
     Marco was such a sadist!
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I wasn't really sure how to put Joe into the household, so hopefully this didn't get to strange. He grew up really well, I honestly thought he'd be ugly as hell. I don't tweak sims unless they are deformed, so that's an all natural sim grow- up.

And their not gay for the record, they are having a mutual man- crush. Yes, that's a real thing.

Esther is from uni, she's cute so I added her to the city. And she and Marco did marry, and divorce and it broke his little sim heart.

The canvas Joe is painting stayed white until the game got reloaded.

It's probably the right time to mention that I know nothing about policework, or modern weapons. So I just slapped up some types that police use a bit around the world.  



2.1 Heartache

     Hard knocks on the door made them jump from their seats. Anyone who has heard cops knocking at doors, recognize it for the rest of their lives.
     Police? Their worst fear was coming through.

     Though the cop didn't seem to have any manners, as the door opened right after, and a large officer covered the doorway.
     Completely silent they kept staring at the big man in blue- he seemed a bit familiar....

     Evening, the officer said. They kept staring at him a bit longer whilst the shock was put at ease
He started talking again: Why the long faces? Did I interrupt anything? After another pause the officer said: Is it uncle Marek? Did he die of sorrow when I didn't join the army after all?

     Marco? Oriana wondered when her irritating kid brother had grown into a man. She hadn't noticed it atleast. If the shock hadn't been so big she'd start laughing. Someone gave him access to firearms! That couldn't end well. And didn't copbusiness take a bit of patience?

     Oriana. It was almost as time had stood still. That mocking answer sure didn't belong to some professional police officer.

     Sweety!! Iva scrambled to him on scrawny legs, and shivered over to her long lost boy. Who in reality hadn't been gone for that long. Sweety, where have you been? What happened? Why haven't you called us, we've been worried sick about you! Nothing like a bit of accusation when in doubt.

     He carefully pushed his mum off him, afraid he'd break those bony, old arms.  
     After a break of parental nagging, they took a seat: I finished the semester earlier than the rest, so the station put me undercover. It's quite common when you're new. he said it with such ease, they could hardly believe he was talking about a school. They knew the boy was bright, but he wasn't a genious like his father. And undercover? When did he even apply for a job?

      Undercover as what? It sounds dangerous.... Iva didn't like the thought of her helpless little boy doing something dangerous.
     Marco sighed, he should just have stayed there: It's nothing dangerous mum. Just some undercover work in the lower parts of the drug- rings. 

     Why were they looking so shocked? They probably wouldn't believe he'd been headhunted for the position. Or how easy it was to trick drugaddicts into thinking you were one of them. They were so full of different substanses, that they barely noticed anyone but themselves anyway.
     You've been around criminals? Atleast dad seemed to take it pretty calmly.
     Why?! Can't they send someone more experienced to do that?! Mum was pretty near fainting now.
     Don't you think it's a bit mean getting lower people arrested? Aren't they usually addicts? Oriana   was as political correct as she'd never been. It sucked beeing home.

    I'm fine, thanks for asking. It felt so ...sweet... when people was accusing you.... And for your information Oriana, the lowdogs usually get used as informants. 
     Oh, so you risk their lives instead, in the name of "justice"!! She threw her arms up.
     What? Do you think all druglords and gangleaders automatically start out on top of the pyramide? You've been watching to many movies! So what he did for a living was wrong to? What the hell? Atleast he had a real job, unlike... well any of them actually!
     What I'm saying is that you are taking advantage of someone that has an illness! It's not their fault...
     So what?! Drugs, the users and the sellers, he said with convincing: take part in a business that has parts in illegal warfare, corruption, trafficing, slavery and uses kids as mules! And that still wasn't all of it.

     Iva could have sworn she'd heard it before, just not from the ones that fought against it. Maybe she was beeing punished for not grieving her sisters enough, or for beeing the cause of an ancestor gettingkilled by werewolves. She snook a glance at her husband; atleast something good had come out of it. Maybe she should have told her kids about their everliving ancestor?

     Her thoughts were interrupted by her husbands voice: Shut up you two! It wasn't common that he lost his temper, but he was far from as calm as he once had been. As long as it worked, Iva was all fine with it. They were adults now, why couldn't they just stop arguing for once!
     Your brother has been missing for several months Oriana! Knock it off!! Gard was using his rarely used strick voice. It worked, even if Oriana started sulking a bit. And wipe that smug grin off your face!! That was for his son, and his smug grin!!
     Yes sir.. they said simultaniously. He still had it! Damn kids...

     Actually, telling those two about an everliving ancestor was a terrible idea, when she thought about it. Why should she? He was long gone anyway, or she'd been dead by now. He still had been sexy though.... evil and bad ofcourse, but sexy. Not as sexy as her husband, but still..... She smiled to herself, until she felt Gards hand on hers. And with that look he gave her..... damn vampire....

     Iva did her best to get her husband out of her brain: Drugaddicts? Weren't you scared sweety? We've been worried sick about you! You could have called you know!
     Marco sighed again, mum was such a pain: I worked undercover mum! I can't run around phoning my mother! It was difficult enough staying in contact with my coworkers. And what would they have said if he had to take time to call his mum? He was a grown man!

     She paused a while, letting his words sink in: You had a girlfriend didn't you? Then why don't I have grandkids?
     Mum!! I'm not old enough to have kids yet! Why are you asking me anyway? Oriana is the one who's married?
     Oriana sighed this time: I'm not that much older than you Marco! And what me and Selim chose to do is none of your business!
     Oh? He exclaimed. Where is loverboy anyway?! Why isn't he here with you?
     For the love of... He's working Marco! She spit it out. Truth was that he was working a lot, and she suspected she was terrified of both her brother and her daddy.

      SHUT UP!!! Gard shouted at them, all of them. Iva gave him the evil eye, but stayed silent for a change. He turned to his son: Are you done working undercover? 
     Yes sir.... Marco was a lot meeker this time.
     Good. Welcome home boy, he slapped his bony hand on his shoulder, making the boy grunt. He still had it.
     Yeah, I'm glad you're safe Marco. Oriana said. Nothing like a little yelling to make kids listen. I have to go. I want to have some time with my husband before he goes to bed. 

     As Oriana left, Iva turned to her son: About those grandchildren......


     For the love of......

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     Even if it was good having their son back, Marco seemed to struggle with a few things.
     No, I'm not interested. He then quickly hung up.

     He seemed to be getting a lot of phonecalls. Not that it was anything strange about that.

     It was more the way he kept reacting to them: I've told you no! Stop phoning me!

      He didn't tell them he'd had his heart broken, and highly preferred crying alone in his room. Like a real man!

 
     And it didn't seem like he was the only one. Gard finally met his son- in- law for the first time. Him and his daughter had married the same day she graduated. He seemed nice enough, but he automatically disliked the wellmannered, friendly young man. Oriana was his little ninja- girl, not this blokes!!

     You can always move back home if things don't work out with your husband! Gard knew how to show his daughter he respected her decisions. Especially since his son in law stood right next to him!

     Daddy... Oriana looked tired. Selim is a great guy! Everything is fine! It really is. She smiled at him. Really dad, everything is fine!

     Iva and Gard discussed their daughter afterwards: Yeah, I get it. You don't like the nice young man. But Orianas a grown woman, she can make her own decisions! Ofcourse she was right, Iva often was.
     But I don't have to like him, right? It was a dads right to dislike his daughters boyfriends. No matter how great they were!

      
     Ofcourse not. Iva sighed. Somethings obviously not right between them, but don't jump to any conclusions. They are very young! It's probably just some started problems. 
     We didn't have any starter- problems.... he answered.
     We were a lot older when we got married...
     Not to mention that Ivas witch dad had been dead. That probably helped a lot. Like her brother hadn't been hard enough to handle.
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      The best part of the day is to sit in the kitchen with a coffe. Few things beats a standard morning ritual. He was finally settling in to the routines of the police force, and couldn't wait to spend more time with his co- workers. His partner, Dominic, seemed like a pretty decent fellow.

      Had he just seen that?

     Errr.... mum? Marco looked at his mums face, he didn't want to see the rest of it.
     Yes sweety? Few things were better than to start the day with cake.
     How are you feeling? 
     Good sweety. Did you sleep well tonight? 
     I slept well, thank you. A long silence appeared.
     

     Are you aware that you're naked? 
     Yes. Iva really liked cake. Hey, maybe she could bake some pie!
     Can't you put something on? It was worth a try atleast.
     My house, my rules. Iva said, enjoying the rest of her cake. Strangely enough Marco left early for work.

    So, should we write the house over to Marco? Oriana didn't want any part of it.. Iva looked at her husband. Maybe it was time for her to start putting clothes back on again. She highly preffered beeing butt naked.

     I like you better naked to.. Gard answered. He'd love to have both his kids back in the house, even if it meant Iva would start putting clothes back on.
     Stop doing that.... What about the house?
     Sounds like a good idea...

     We've saved up a ton of simoleons!! How about we get a bigger house?

     Iva, Gard stared thoughtfully into the distance, that's a brilliant idea..
     Let's use U.R.U.Buildservice!! They are really fast!! That company got a house up in a matter of hours!!
     Don't they just build terrible blockhouses, and keep forgetting fixing the gardens? Gard wanted a pretty house...
     Yeah, but it's still a house right?
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No surprise for anyone there I guess. But it was done for a reason. I wanted everyone to think it was Oriana that was the heir, but she wasn't! Hah!! That's my version of eeeevil!!!  I had a hard time choosing this time, but Marco won the roll so in the end I honored that.

Yes, I'm building them a new house. It won't be pretty, but it will be a lot bigger. And hopefully easier to take pictures in. Maybe I'll download one later on, but for now: blockhouse!

Iva decided it was a good idea not to put her clothes back on after her shower. I'm easily entertained and thought it was funny.... And yes, that's a bellybutton piercing on Marco, and I forgot to remove "purpleshirt" in the all but one picture.

Sorry about the pictures of Oriana and the gang in the rain. They are dark, crowded and all bad. But I'm to lazy to do it again. 

poses by Sunny (as usual), mypalsims and sea

Thanks for reading